Ring-substituted n-(2,2-difluoroalkanoyl)-o-phenylenediamine insecticides

ABSTRACT

Ring-substituted N-(2,2-difluoroalkanoyl)-o-phenylenediamine compounds useful as herbicides and as insecticides; and combinations of these compounds with known herbicides.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 479,073, filedJune 13, 1974, and issued Sept. 23, 1975, as 3,907,892. Application Ser.No. 479,073 was a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No.277,452, filed Aug. 2, 1972, which was in turn a continuation-in-part ofmy then copending application Ser. No. 47,857, filed June 19, 1970, andof my then copending application Ser. No. 17,865, filed Mar. 9, 1970,and itself a continuation-in-part of my then copending application Ser.No. 803,998, filed Mar. 3, 1969. Each of Applications 803,998, 17,865,47,857, and 277,452 was abandoned after the filing of the subsequentapplication in the series.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to novel ring-substitutedN-(2,2-difluoroalkanoyl)-o-phenylenediamine compounds of the formulae:##STR1## wherein

R° represents a 2,2-difluoroalkanoyl radical of the formula ##STR2##wherein Y represents hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, difluoromethyl,perfluoroalkyl of C₁ -C₆, or radical of the formula ##STR3## whereineach Z independently represents hydrogen or halogen and n represents 0or 1;

R¹ represents

Hydrogen,

RADICAL OF THE FORMULA ##STR4## wherein Y¹ represents loweralkyl of C₁-C₄ or phenyl, BENZOYL,

Furoyl,

Naphthoyl, or

Substituted benzoyl of the formula ##STR5## WHEREIN EACH Z'independently represents halo or nitro, Z" represents loweralkyl or C₁-C₄ or loweralkoxy of C₁ -C₄, p represents 0, 1, or 2, q represents 0 or1, and the sum of p and q is 1-3;

R² represents

R°,

R¹,

alkanoyl of C₁ -C₈,

loweralkenoyl of C₃ -C₄,

loweralkynoyl of C₃ -C₄,

halogenated loweralkanoyl of C₂ -C₄ bearing on any position or positionsone or more halogen atoms, each independently selected, subject to thelimitation that the alpha position bear at least one substituent moietyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen of atomicweight from 35 to 127, both inclusive;

each R³ independently represents halogen;

R⁴ represents nitro;

R⁵ represents trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, or difluorochloromethyl,and in compounds of Formula II, R⁴ and R⁵ are meta to one another;

R⁶ represents loweralkylsulfonyl of C₁ -C₄ and is located at the 4 or 5position, and any R⁴ group is meta to R⁶ ;

m represents 0-4;

n represents 0-1; and in compounds of Formula I, the sum of m and n isan integer of from 1-4;

subject to the further limitation that where R¹ or R² representshydrogen, the ring position ortho to the --NH-R¹ or --NH-R² group bearsone of the designated R³, R⁴, R⁵, or R⁶ moieties. All of thering-substituted N-(2,2-difluoroalkanoyl)-o-phenylenediamine compoundsof the present invention are useful as herbicides. Hence the presentinvention is directed to methods employing and compositions comprisingthese novel ring-substituted N-(2,2-difluoroalkanoyl)-o-phenylenediaminecompounds as herbicides.

The present ring-substituted N-(2,2-difluoroalkanoyl)-o-phenylenediaminecompounds also exhibit insecticidal and arachnicidal activity. Suchactivity is most pronounced among compounds of Formula II. Hence thepresent invention is also directed to methods employing these compoundsas insecticides.

In addition, the present invention is also directed to combinations ofthe compounds of the present invention with known herbicides.

Detailed Description of the Invention

For the sake of uniformity, starting materials and products herein arenamed, where possible, as o-phenylenediamines. In accordance with commonnomenclature practice, the identification of various substituentpositions is as follows: ##STR6## where either nitrogen atom bears analkanoyl or other (R°, R¹, R²) substituent, the ring position numbersare identified as prime numbers to distinguish them from numbers ofpositions on the R°, R¹, or R² substituent.

In the foregoing definition of the compounds of the present invention,as generally in the present specification and claims, each of the terms"halo" and "halogen," when unqualified but as used both alone and in thecomposite term "halogenated loweralkanoyl," designates bromine,chlorine, fluorine, or iodine, only.

An essential and distinguishing structural feature of the compounds ofthe present invention is the 2,2-difluoroalkanoyl-radical (R°);representative such radicals include the following:

difluoroacetyl

trifluoroacetyl

difluorochloroacetyl

pentafluoropropionyl

heptafluorobutyryl

nona-fluorovaleryl

2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionyl

undecafluorohexanoyl

tridecafluoroheptanoyl

pentadecafluorooctanoyl

2,2-difluoropropionyl

2,2-difluorobutyryl

2,2-difluoro-3-bromopropionyl

2,2-difluoro-3-chloropropionyl

2,2-difluoro-3,4-dichlorobutyryl

2,2-difluoro-4-bromobutyryl

2,2,3-trifluoropropionyl

2,2,3-trifluorobutyryl

2,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutyryl

2,2-difluoro-3-bromo-4-chlorobutyryl

Preferred R° groups are trifluoroacetyl, difluoroacetyl,difluorochloroacetyl, and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionyl.

The compounds of the present invention are prepared by introduction ofthe characteristic 2,2-difluoroalkanoyl group into appropriatecorresponding diamine starting materials. Introduction of this group canbe achieved by any of numerous available acylation reactions, employingany of several types of acylating agent. The identity of acylating agentis not critical; suitable acylating agents include the2,2-difluoroalkanoyl halides: ##STR7## and the 2,2-difluoroalkanoicanhydrides: ##STR8## The diamine starting materials with which theacylation reaction is carried out will vary. In the instance ofcompounds of the present invention wherein R¹ is hydrogen or wherein R²is either hydrogen or the same moiety as is represented by R°, thestarting diamine is a compound of one of the following formulae:##STR9## and either one acyl group is introduced (leaving R¹ or R² =hydrogen) or two identical acyl groups are introduced ##STR10##

Where, on the other hand, R¹ is any other moiety than hydrogen and R² isany other moiety than hydrogen or the same 2,2-difluoroalkanoyl moietyas is represented by R°, the appropriate diamine starting material is acompound already bearing the desired R¹ or R² moiety: ##STR11## and thecharacteristic R° group is similarly introduced by acylation. It isnoted that the R² group can be a 2,2-difluoroalkanoyl group differentfrom that represented by R°, in which instance the groups are introducedsequentially.

While the synthetic routes described foregoing are convenient andpreferred, yet other routes can be utilized. Thus, for example, in theinstance where R¹ represents an acyl group other than a2,2-difluoroalkanoyl radical, the R¹ group is conveniently introduced insome instances after the R° has already been introduced. However,because of the activating effect on acylation of the alpha fluorineatoms, it is generally preferred that groups other than the2,2-difluoroalkanoyl moiety already be present when this group isintroduced. In the instance where R² = formyl, the acylation isconducted with a mixed anhydride of acetic and formic acid. Alternately,other acylating agents by which formyl groups are introduced can beused.

The preparation of amides by the acylating of corresponding amines withvarious acylating agents is, as noted, a known synthetic method. Thepresent preparations are conducted in accordance with the knownprocedures for effecting this method. Thus, where the acylating agent isan anhydride, the reaction is conveniently conducted at roomtemperature; solvent, which can be excess anhydride, except in the caseof amides where R¹ or R² = H, can be utilized. Where an acyl halide isemployed as acylating agent, the reaction is necessarily conducted inthe presence of a hydrogen halide acceptor and preferably in thepresence of an inert solvent, and the reaction mixture is preferablycooled, such as to temperatures of 0°-10° C. In the case of eitheracylating agent, the product is separated in conventional procedures,and can be purified if desired, likewise in conventional procedures.

The following examples illustrate the synthesis of the compounds of thepresent invention and will enable those skilled in the art to practicethe present invention.

Example 1

N¹ -trifluoroacetyl-3',4',5',6'-tetrachloro-o-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

3,4,5,6-Tetrachloro-o-phenylenediamine (2.0 grams) was dissolved in 50milliliters of benzene and 0.8 milliliter of triethylamine and thesolution treated with trifluoroacetic anhydride (1.84 grams). Theresulting reaction mixture was then heated to reflux, refluxed for 16hours, condensed by evaporation to 20 milliliters, and the desired N¹-trifluoroacetyl-3',4',5',6'-tetrachloro-o-phenylenediamine productseparated by filtration and recrystallized from chloroform, m.p.,245°-47° C.

Example 2

N¹ -trifluoroacetyl-3'-trifluoromethyl-5'-nitro-o-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

Finely ground 3-trifluoromethyl-5-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (2.2 grams),triethylamine (1.0 ml.), and chloroform (10 milliliters) were mixed andstirred while trifluoroacetic anhydride (2-3 milliliters in chloroform(20 milliliters)) was added. The addition was carried out portionwiseover a period of 20 minutes and at room temperature. The resultingreaction mixture was filtered to separate the desired N¹-trifluoroacetyl-3'-trifluoromethyl-5'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine productwhich was recrystallized from benzene, m.p., 201°-02° C.

Analysis, Calc. for C₉ H₅ F₆ N₃ O₃ : C, 34.08; H, 1.58; N, 13.24.

Found: C, 34.24; H, 1.60; N, 13.24.

Example 3

N¹ -chlorodifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

3-Nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine (5.0 grams) was mixed with15 milliliters of pyridine and the mixture cooled to 0° C.Chlorodifluoroacetyl chloride (3 milliliters) was then added withstirring over a period of 20 minutes. After standing at 20° C. for about1.5 hours, the reaction mixture was mixed with 150 grams of ice and 20milliliters of hydrochloric acid, which resulted in the precipitation ofthe desired N¹-chlorodifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamineproduct. It was separated by filtration and recrystallized from benzene,m.p., 186°-88° C.

Example 4

N¹ -benzoyl-n²-trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

N¹ -Benzoyl-3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine (3.2 grams) andexcess trifluoroacetic anhydride were mixed and allowed to standovernight. Excess trifluoroacetic anhydride and the correspondingby-product acid were evaporated under vacuum to separate the desired N¹-benzoyl-N²-trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine product,which, after recrystallization from benzene, melted at 193°-95° C.

Examples 5-27

Other compounds representative of the present invention are readilyprepared in the procedures of the foregoing teachings and examples,using analogous starting materials. Such compounds include thefollowing:

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 194-95° C., prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Propionyl-N²-(2,2-difluoro-3-iodopropionyl)-5'-(sec-butylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting 2,2-difluoro-3-iodopropionyl chloride with N¹-propionyl-5-(sec-butylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-acetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine, m.p., 219-20°C., prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with N²-acetyl-3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹, N² -Bis(trifluoroacetyl)-5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 179°-81° C, prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with5-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹,N²-Bis(2,2-difluorobutyryl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting 2,2-difluorobutyric anhydride with3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -p-toluoyl-5',6'-dichloro-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting trifluoroacetyl chloride with N²-p-toluoyl-5,6-dichloro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Acetyl-N² -trifluoroacetyl-5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine,m.p. 200°-01° C., prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with N¹-acetyl-5-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N² -hexanoyl-5'-(n-propylsulfonyl)o-phenylenediamine, prepared by reacting difluorochloroacetic anhydridewith N² -hexanoyl-5-(n-propylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-chloro-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.,184-86°C., prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with3-nitro-5-chloro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹, N²-Bis(2,2-difluoro-4-bromobutyryl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting 2,2-difluoro-4-bromobutyric anhydride with3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Acetyl-N²-trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.,215°-16° C., prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with N¹-acetyl-3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -(3-Bromopropionyl)-N²-trifluoroacetyl-5'-(ethylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine, prepared byreacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with N¹-(3-bromopropionyl)-5-(ethylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -(2,2-Difluoro-3-bromopropionyl)-N²-(2-chloro-4-tert-butylbenzoyl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting 2,2-difluoro-3-bromopropionyl chloride with N²-(2-chloro-4-tert-butylbenzoyl)-3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹, N²-Bis(trifluoroacetyl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 210°-12°C., prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-5',6'-difluoro-o-phenylenediamine, prepared byreacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-5,6-difluoro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N²-(phenoxycarbonyl)-3'-nitro-5'-difluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting difluorochloroacetic anhydride with N²-(phenoxycarbonyl)-3-nitro-5-difluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -(3,4-Dichlorobenzoyl)-N²-difluoroacetyl-4'-chloro-o-phenylenediamine, prepared by reactingdifluoroacetic anhydride with N¹-(3,4-dichlorobenzoyl)-4-chloro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N² -(5-bromo-m-toluoyl)-3',4',5',6'-tetrachloro-o-phenylenediamine, prepared by reactingpentafluoropropionic anhydride with N²-(5-bromo-m-toluoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Heptafluorobutyryl-N²-(sec-butoxycarbonyl)-4'-bromo-o-phenylenediamine, prepared by reactingheptafluorobutyric anhydride with N²-(sec-butoxycarbonyl)-4-bromo-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -(2,2-Difluoropropionyl)-N²-(3-nitro-5-isopropoxybenzoyl)-5',6'-dichloro-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting 2,2-difluoropropionyl bromide with N²-(3-nitro-5-isopropoxybenzoyl)-5,6-dichloro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Naphthoyl-N²-trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.,200°-04° C., prepared by reacting trifluoroacetic anhydride with N¹-naphthoyl-3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹,N²-Bis(difluoroacetyl)-3'-nitro-5'-difluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,prepared by reacting difluoroacetic anhydride with3-nitro-5-difluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Iodoacetyl-N²-trifluoroacetyl-5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine, prepared byreacting trifluoroacetic anhyhdride with N¹-iodoacetyl-5-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

Yet other representative compounds of the present invention include thefollowing:

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(p-n-butoxybenzoyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 172°-74°C.

N¹ Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.,210°-12°C.

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N²-(2,2-dichloropropionyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine,m.p. 144-45°C.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(2,2-dichloropropionyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 172-73°C.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(2,4-dichloro-6-methoxybenzoyl)-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.,200-01°C.

N¹ -Heptafluorobutyryl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 118°-20°C.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-pentafluoropropionyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine,m.p. 185°-86°C.

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 161°-63°C.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-dichlorofluoroacetyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 163°-64°C.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-methoxycarbonyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.129°-30°C.

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N² -trichloroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine, m.p. 167°-68°C.

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N²-propionyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.,152°-54°C.

N¹-Pentadecafluorooctanoyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 111°-13°C.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-trichloroacetyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenyelendiamine, m.p.,170°-72°C.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-benzoyl-3'-trifluoromethyl-5'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-naphthoyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-methacryloyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-propioloyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-trichloroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Pentadecafluorooctanoyl-N²-acetyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹, N² -Bis(heptafluorobutyryl)-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -acryloyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-propioloyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-benzoyl-4'-(ethylsulfonyl)-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N²-naphthoyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ Difluoroacetyl-N²-methoxycarbonyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Heptafluorobutyryl-N²-p-toluoyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -benzoyl-4',5'-dichloro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -naphthoyl-4'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -furoyl-5'(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine,m.p., 185-87° C.

N¹ -Difluoroacetyl-N²-furoyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

N¹ -Chlorodifluoroacetyl-N² -furoyl-4',5'-dichloro-o-phenylenediamine.

N² -(2,2,3,3-Tetrafluoropropionyl)-N¹-methoxycarbonyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine, m.p.,129-30° C.

N¹-(2,2,3,3-Tetrafluoropropionyl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.

All of the compounds of the present invention are adapted to be employedas herbicides. The compounds can be utilized to achieve broad herbicidalaction; hence, in its broadest sense, the present invention is directedto a method which comprises applying to a plant part, which can be astem, leaf, flower, fruit, root, or seed or other similar reproductiveunit of a plant, a growth-inhibiting amount of one of thering-substituted (2,2-difluoroalkanoyl-o-phenylenediamine compounds ofthe present invention. However, the compounds can also be utilized totake advantage of selective patterns of herbicidal activity.

As set forth above, the present invention in its broadest sense isdirected to a herbicidal method employing one of the present compounds.However, as will be evident to those skilled in the art, a mixture ofmore than one of the present compounds can also be employed in thepractice of the present invention. When employing a mixture, anappropriate reduction should be made in the amount of each individualcompound so that the mixture provides only the desired herbicidaleffect.

It is not critical to the practice of the present invention thatcomplete destruction of undesirable vegetation be obtained, it beingadequate if the growth of the unwanted vegetation is merely inhibited.Especially where selective action is sought, inhibition falling short ofactual killing is adequate, particularly when combined with naturallyoccurring conditions such as limited moisture and the like which moreadversely affect the vegetation selectively inhibited than the cropplant.

The compounds of the present invention are suited to a wide variety ofherbicidal applications. Thus, for example, at rates which evoke theselective action of the compounds, which rates are defined morecompletely hereinbelow, the compounds can be used as selectiveherbicides in crop plants, such as, for example, cotton, corn, sorghum,soybeans, and the like. In such use, application can be made preemergentto both crops and weeds, or, preferably by means of a directed sprayapplication technique, postemergent to the crop plant but bothpreemergent and postemergent to the weeds. In another application, thecompounds can be used to give broad herbicidal action on non-crop land,including intermittently noncrop strips of contour-farmed land. For suchusage on so-called fallow land, application can be made in spring tosuppress vegetative growth until a fall or following spring planting, orin the fall to suppress vegetative growth until a spring or followingfall planting. Furthermore, in another application, the presentcompounds can be utilized to control weeds in tree crop plantings, suchas plantings of the various citrus trees. In all of these variousapplications, and yet others for which the present compounds are suited,another advantage is that the compounds need not be disced into the soilbeing treated, it being adequate if one of the compounds, or aformulation containing one of the compounds, is merely spread onto thetop surface. However, where desired or convenient, the compounds can bedisced into, or otherwise mechanically mixed with the soil. In additionto the foregoing terrestrial embodiments, the present compounds can alsobe utilized as aquatic herbicides.

The practice of the present invention in any of its numerous embodimentscan in some instances be carried out with unmodified compound; however,for good results, it is generally necessary that the compound beemployed in modified form, that is, as one component of a compositionformulated to implement the plant growth-inhibiting effects. Thus, forexample, the active agent can be mixed with water or other liquid orliquids, preferably aided by the usage of a surface active agent. Theactive agent can also be incorporated on a finely divided solid, whichcan be a surface active substance, to yield a wettable powder, which cansubsequently be dispersed in water or other liquid, or incorporated aspart of a dust which can be applied directly. Other methods offormulations are known in the art and can be employed in implementingthe present invention.

In carrying out the novel method of the present invention, the exactamount of the active agent employed is not critical and will vary,depending upon the type of growth-inhibiting effect desired, theidentity of the plants concerned, the particular active agent used,weather conditions, and the like. In general, a broad growth-inhibitingeffect is obtained with rates of from 0.5 to 20 pounds or more of activeagent per acre, and such rates are suitable and effective for control ofvegetative growth on fallow land. When it is desired to obtain aselective growth-inhibiting effect on weeds in areas containing cropplants such as corn, soybeans, and cotton, rates of from 0.5 to 10pounds generally give good results. When in the typical mode ofoperation, the active agent is employed as a composition comprising theagent, the exact concentration of active agent in the composition is notcritical, except that the concentration and total amount of formulationemployed be adequate to supply the appropriate amount of active agent ona per acre basis. In general, good results are obtained when employingformulations containing the active agent in a concentration of from 0.5to 10 percent or higher, in the instance of a liquid formulation; and ina concentration of from 1.0 to 5.0 percent or higher, in the instance ofa dust, powder, granule, or the like. More concentrated formulations canbe prepared and are often preferred in that they can serve, dependingupon the particular application contemplated and the particularconcentration, both as a concentrated formulation for purposes ofshipment, storage, and the like, and as an ultimate treatingcomposition. Thus, for example, formulations often preferably contain asurface active agent and the present active agent, the latter beingpresent in an amount of from 0.5 to 99.5 percent, by weight, or aninert, finely divided solid and the present active agent, the latterbeing present in an amount of from 1.0 to 99 percent, by weight. Suchformulations, as indicated, can be employed directly in certainapplications, but can also be diluted and subsequently employed in manyother applications.

Liquid compositions containing the desired amount of active agent areprepared by dissolving the substance in an organic liquid or bydispersing the substance in water with or without the aid of a suitablesurface active dispersing agent such as an ionic or non-ionicemulsifying agent. Such compositions can also contain modifyingsubstances which serve as a "spreader" and "sticker" on plant foliage.Suitable organic liquid carriers include the agricultural spray oils andthe petroleum distillates such as diesel fuel, kerosene, fuel oilnaphthas, and Stoddard solvent. Among such liquids, the petroleumdistillates are generally preferred. The aqueous compositions cancontain one or more water immiscible solvents for the toxicant compound.In such compositions, the carrier comprises an aqueous emulsion, e.g., amixture of water, emulsifying agent and water immiscible solvent. Thechoice of dispersing and emulsifying agent and the amount thereofemployed is dictated by the nature of the composition and by the abilityof the agent to facilitate the dispersion of the active agent in thecarrier to produce the desired composition. Dispersing and emulsifyingagents which can be employed in the compositions include thecondensation products of alkylene oxides with phenols and organic acids,alkyl aryl sulfonates, polyoxyalkylene derivative or sorbitan esters,complex ether alcohols, and the like. Representative surface activeagents which are suitably employed in implementing the present inventionare identified in U.S. Pats. 3,095,299, second column, lines 25-36;2,655,447, column 5; and 2,412,510, columns 4 and 5.

In the preparation of dust compositions, the active ingredient isintimately dispersed in and on a finely divided solid such as clay,talc, chalk, gypsum, limestone, vermiculite fines, perlite, and thelike. In one method of achieving such dispersion, the finely dividedcarrier is mechanically mixed or ground with the active agent.

Similarly, dust compositions containing the toxicant compounds can beprepared with various of the solid surface active dispersing agents suchas bentonite, fuller's earth, attapulgite and other clays. Dependingupon the proportions of ingredients, these dust compositions can beemployed as concentrates and subsequently diluted with additional solidsurface active dispersing agents or with chalk, talc, or gypsum and thelike to obtain the desired amount of active ingredient in a compositionadapted to be employed for the suppression of the growth of the plants.Also, such dust compositions can be dispersed in water, with or withoutthe aid of a dispersing agent, to form spray mixtures.

Formulations containing the present active agent are oftenadvantageously further modified by incorporation therein of an effectiveamount of a surfactant which facilitates the dispersion and spreading ofthe formulation on the plant leaf surfaces and the incorporation of theformulation by the plant.

In accordance with the present invention, the active agent can bedispersed in soil or other growth media in any convenient fashion.Applications can be carried out by simply mixing with the media, byapplying to the surface of soil and thereafter dragging or discing intothe soil to the desired depth, or by employing a liquid carrier toaccomplish the penetration and impregnation. The application of sprayand dust compositions to the surface of soil, or to plant parts or theabove ground surfaces of plants can be carried out by conventionalmethods, e.g., powder dusters, boom and hand sprayers and spray dusters,whether surface or air-borne. However, while such conventional modes ofapplication can be used, they are not required. As above noted, it is anadvantage of the present invention that the compounds serving as activeagent are active and effective as herbicides when merely placed on thesurface of the soil, without any additional step to assistincorporation. Thus, the compounds are of substantially the sameefficacy regardless of whether they are applied to the surface only, orwhether they are applied to the surface and subsequently disced into thesoil.

In a further method, the distribution of the active agent in soil can beaccomplished by introducing the agent into the water employed toirrigate the soil. In such procedures, the amount of water is variedwith the porosity and water holding capacity of the soil to obtain adesired depth of distribution of the agent.

The compounds of the present invention exhibit low mammalian toxicityrelative to corresponding benzimidazoles.

In addition, the present method also comprehends the employment of anaerosol composition containing one or more of the present active agentsas an active compound. Such a composition is prepared according toconventional methods wherein the agent is dispersed in a solvent, andthe resultant dispersion mixed with a propellant in liquid state. Suchvariables as the particular agent to be used and the nature of thevegetation which is to be treated will determine the desirability of thesolvent and concentration of the agent therein. Examples of suitablesolvents are water, acetone, isopropanol, and 2-ethoxyethanol.

Satisfactory results are obtained when the active agent of the presentinvention, or a composition comprising such active agent, is combinedwith other agricultural materials intended to be applied to plants,plant parts, or their habitats. Such materials include fertilizers,fungicides, insecticides, other herbicides, soil conditioning agents,and the like.

EXAMPLES 28- 31

Various of the compounds to be employed as active agent in accordancewith the present invention were evaluated for pre-emergent applicationto various species of plants. In this evaluation, a soil was preparedconsisting of one part masonry sand and one part shredded top soilblended together in a cement mixer. One gallon of this soil was placedin a 25 × 35 cm. galvanized flat and was patted down with a bench brushuntil level. A three-row marker was used to make 2 1/2 cm. deep furrowsin approximately two-fifths of the flat. Crop seeds consisting of fourkernels of corn, five cotton seeds, and five soybean seeds were placedin these furrows. A four-row template was then placed on the remainingsoil and the indicated approximate numbers of each of the followingseeds were planted, one species to each section: foxtail (millet),80-100 seeds; velvetleaf (40-50 seeds); rough pigweed (150-250 seeds);and large crabgrass (100-150 seeds).

Sufficient soil was added to cover the entire flat. Thus, the weed seedswere covered to a depth of about 6 mm. and the crop seeds were coveredto a depth of about 3 cm.

In assaying the effect of the composition as preemergent herbicides, aflat prepared as above, taken either on the day of planting or on thenext day, was placed in a chamber equipped with a turntable and an airexhaust. The herbicidal composition, either a spray-type emulsion or awettable powder, was applied to the flat with a modified DeVilbissatomizer hooked to an air source. Twelve and one-half milliliters of thecomposition under test were applied to each flat either on the day ofplanting or the succeeding day. Injury ratings and observations as totype of injury were made eleven to twelve days after treatment. Theinjury rating scale used was as follows:

0--no injury

1--slight injury

2--moderate injury

3--severe injury

4--death

When more than one determination was carried out at a given rate, anaverage value was calculated for the injury rating. Each compoundevaluated was formulated as a spray by one of the following procedures.In one method the particular compound was wetted by grinding in a mortarwith one part of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate. Five hundredparts of water were added slowly to the resultant creamy paste to givean aqueous dispersion with a surfactant concentration of 0.2 percent.This dispersion was entirely satisfactory for spray application. In asecond procedure the compound was dissolved in one volume of acetone,and the acetone solution was diluted with nineteen volumes of watercontaining 0.1 percent of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate.

In the following table setting forth the results of the evaluation,column 1 gives the name of the component under test; column 2, the ratein pounds per acre at which the compound was applied to the test flat;and the remaining columns, the injury to the particular plant seeds orseedlings as measured by the foregoing scale.

                                      TABLE I                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Injury Rating on Preemergent Treatment                                        __________________________________________________________________________                    Lbs./ Cot-                                                                             Soy-                                                                             Crab-                                                                             Pig-                                                                              Fox-                                                                             Velvet                                 Compound        Acre                                                                             Corn                                                                             ton                                                                              bean                                                                             grass                                                                             weed                                                                              tail                                                                             Leaf                                   __________________________________________________________________________    N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3',                                                  4',5',6'-tetrachloro-                                                         o-phenylenediamine                                                                            8  1  0  0  4   4   2  1                                      N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-                                                  nitro-5'-chloro-o-                                                            phenylenediamine                                                                              8  1  0  1  4   4   2  3                                      N.sup.1,N.sup.2 Bis(trifluoro-                                                acetyl)-5'-(methyl-                                                           sulfonyl)-o-phenylene-                                                        diamine         8  1  1  2  3   4   3  3                                      N.sup.1 -trifluoroacetyl-3'-                                                  nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-                                                     o-phenylenediamine                                                                            8  0  0  2  4   4   3  3                                      __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 32-35

Representative compounds of the present invention were evaluated forpostemergent application to plants including corn and several weedspecies. The evaluation was carried out in accordance with theprocedures of Examples 28-31 except that the test solutions were appliedabout 9-12 days after the preparation and seeding of the flats. Theresults are as set forth in the following table:

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Injury Rating on Postemergent Treatment                                       __________________________________________________________________________                    Lbs./ Crab-                                                                             Pig-                                                                             Fox-                                                                             Velvet                                        Compound        Acre                                                                             Corn                                                                             grass                                                                             weed                                                                             tail                                                                             Leaf                                          __________________________________________________________________________    N.sup.1 -Acetyl-N.sup.2 -trifluoroacetyl-                                                     8  0  2   4  3  4                                             3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-                                                  o-phenylenediamine                                                                            4  1  2   4  4  4                                                             2  0  3   4  2  4                                             N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-                                                            8  1  4   4  4  4                                             5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenyl-                                                  enediamine                                                                    N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-                                                            8  1  3   4  4  4                                             5'-chloro-o-phenylenediamine                                                                  4  2  4   4  4  4                                                             2  1  4   4  4  4                                                             1  1  4   4  3  4                                             N.sup.1,N.sup.2 -Bis(trifluoroacetyl)-                                                        8  2  4   4  3  4                                             5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-                                                        phenylenediamine                                                                              4  1  4   4  4  3                                                             2  1  4   4  4  2                                             __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 36

N² -(2,2,3,3-Tetrafluoropropionyl)-N¹ -methoxycarbonyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine was evaluated as apostemergent herbicide. The evaluation was carried out in accordancewith the procedures reported in Examples 28-35, but with a single,higher application rate (15 pounds per acre) and with different species(tomato, crabgrass, pigweed).

The specified compound gave a complete kill of each of the namedspecies.

EXAMPLES 37- 84

Essentially the same results as those reported in foregoing Examples28-35 are obtained when evaluating the following other representativecompounds of the present invention:

N¹ -Propionyl-N² -(2,2-difluoro-3-iodopropionyl)-5'-(sec-butylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹,N² -Bis(2,2-difluorobutyryl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -p-toluoyl-5',6'-dichloro-o- phenylenediamine

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N² -hexanoyl-5'-(n-propylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹,N² -Bis(2,2-difluoro-4-bromobutyryl)3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Acetyl-N² -trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -(3-Bromopropionyl)-N² -trifluoroacetyl-5'-(ethylsulfonyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -(2,2-Difluoro-3-bromopropionyl)-N² -(2-chloro-4-tert-butylbenzoyl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -(methoxycarbonyl)-5',6'-difluoro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N² -(phenoxycarbonyl)-3'-nitro-5'-(difluoromethyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -(3,4-Dichlorobenzoyl)-N² -difluoroacetyl-4'-chloro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N² -(5-bromo-m-toluoyl)-3',4',5',6'-tetrachloro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Heptafluorobutyryl-N² -(sec-butoxycarbonyl)-4'-bromo-o-phenylenediamine

N¹,N² -Bis(difluoroacetyl)3'-nitro-5'-difluoromethyl-o- phenylenediamine

N¹ -Iodacetyl-N² -trifluoroacetyl-5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Naphthoyl-N² -trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -(p-n-butoxybenzoyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -(p-nitrobenzoyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N² -(2,2-dichloropropionyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -(2,2-dichloropropionyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -(2,4-dichloro-6-methoxybenzoyl)-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Heptafluorobutyryl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o- phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -pentafluoropropionyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o- phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -dichlorofluoroacetyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -methoxycarbonyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N² -trichloroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N² -propionyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentadecafluorooctanoyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -trichloroacetyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -benzoyl-3'-trifluoromethyl-5'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -naphthoyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -methacryloyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -propioloyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -trichloroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentadecafluorooctanoyl-N² -acetyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹,N² -Bis(heptafluorobutyryl)-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o- phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -acryloyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o- phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -propioloyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -benzoyl-4'-(ethylsulfonyl)-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N² -naphthoyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Difluoroacetyl-N² -methoxycarbonyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Heptafluorobutyryl-N² -p-toluoyl-4'-(methylsulfonyl)-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -benzoyl-4',5'-dichloro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -naphthoyl-4'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N² -furoyl-5'-(methylsulfonyl)-o- phenylenediamine

N¹ -Difluoroacetyl-N² -furoyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoroacetyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Chlorodifluoroacetyl-N² -furoyl-4',5'-dichloro-o- phenylenediamine

The compounds of the present invention also exhibit insecticidal andarachnicidal activity. This activity is most pronounced among compoundsof Formula II. The compounds of these formulae are useful for thecontrol of insect and arachnid pests, and, with proper selection ofrates to avoid phytotoxicity, can be used for the control of thoseinsect and arachnid pests found on the roots or aerial portion ofplants. These compounds are active, for example, against such arachnidsas red spider mite, citrus mite, two-spotted spider mite, Pacific mite,clover mite, fowl mite, various species of ticks, and various species ofspiders. The compounds of this sub-genus are also active against insectsof the various orders including Mexican bean beetle, boll weevil, cornrootworm, cereal leaf beetle, flea beetles, borers, Colorado potatobeetle, grain beetles, alfalfa weevil, carpet beetle, confused flourbeetle, powder post beetle, wireworms, rice weevil, rose beetle, plumcurculio, white grubs, melon aphid, rose aphid, white fly, grain aphid,corn leaf aphid, pea aphid, mealybugs, scales, leafhoppers, citrusaphid, spotted alfalfa aphid, green peach aphid, bean aphid, milkweedbug, tarnished plant bug, box elder bug, bed bug, squash bug, chinchbug, house fly, yellow fever mosquito, stable fly, horn fly, cabbagemaggot, carrot rust fly, Southern armyworm, codling moth, cutworm,clothes moth, Indianmeal moth, leafrollers, corn earworm, European cornborer, cabbage looper, cotton bollworm, bagworm, sod webworm, fallarmyworm, German cockroach, and American cockroach.

In addition to utilization for the control of pests on plants, thecompounds of this sub-genus of the present invention can also beincluded in inks, adhesives, soaps, polymeric materials, cutting oils orin oil or latex paints. Also, the products can be distributed intextiles, cellulose materials, or in grains, or can be employed in theimpregnation of wood and lumber. Additionally, they can be applied toseeds. In yet other procedures, the products can be vaporized or sprayedor distributed as aerosols into the air, or onto surfaces in contactwith the air. In such applications, the compounds manifest the usefulproperties hereinbefore described.

The methods of the present invention comprise contacting an insect orarachnid with an inactivating amount of one of the compounds of thepresent sub-genus. Contacting can be effected by application of one ormore of the products to a habitat of the insect or arachnid.Representative habitats include soil, air, water, food, vegetation,inert objects, stored matter such as grains, other animal organisms, andthe like. The inactivation can be lethal, immediately, or with delay, orcan be a sub-lethal one in which the inactivated insect or arachnid isrendered incapable of carrying out one or more of its normal lifeprocesses. Among known insecticides, this latter situation typicallyprevails when one of the systems of the organism, often the nervoussystem, is seriously disturbed; however, the precise mechanism by whichthe compounds constituting the present active agent work is not yetknown, and the insecticidal and arachnicidal method of the presentinvention is not limited by any mode of operations.

The utilization of an inactivating amount of one of the compounds of thesub-genus is critical to the insecticidal and arachnicidal method of thepresent invention. The inactivating amount can sometimes be administeredby employing the compound in unmodified form. Frequently, however, thedesirable insecticidal and arachnicidal properties of the compounds ofthe sub-genus can be utilized only, as in the instance of the herbicidalproperties, when one or more of the compounds is formulated with one ormore adjuvant substances. Reference is made to the discussionhereinabove concerning compositions and adjuvants. Where theinsecticidal and arachnicidal method is practiced for the control ofplant-attacking insects and arachnids, it is preferred that anyadjuvants be essentially non-phytotoxic in the composition to be used inimplementing the method.

The exact concentration of one or more of the compounds of the sub-genusof the present invention in a composition thereof with one or aplurality of adjuvants can vary; it is necessary only that one or moreof the products be present in such amount as to make possible theapplication of an inactivating dosage to an insect or arachnid. In manysituations, a composition comprising 0.000001 percent of the presentactive agent is effective for the administration of an inactivatingamount thereof to insect and arachnid pest organisms. Compositionshaving a higher concentration of active agent, such as a concentrationof from 0.000001 to 0.5 percent, can of course be employed. In stillother operations, compositions containing from 0.5 to 98 percent byweight of one compound or from 0.5 to 98 percent of a total of more thanone compound, are conveniently employed. Such compositions are adaptedto be employed as treating compositions and applied to insects andarachnids and to their habitats, or to be employed as concentrates andsubsequently diluted with additional adjuvant to produce ultimatetreating compositions.

When operating in accordance with the present invention, one or more ofthe compounds of the sub-genus or a composition containing one or moreof the compounds is applied to the pests to be controlled directly, orby means of application to a portion or portions of their habitat in anyconvenient manner, for example, by means of hand dusters or sprayers orby simple mixing with the food to be ingested by the organisms.Application to the foliage of plants is conveniently carried out withpower dusters, boom sprayers, and fog sprayers. In such foliarapplications, the employed compositions should not contain anyappreciable amounts of any phytotoxic diluents. In large-scaleoperations, dusts, or low-volume sprays, can be applied from anairplane. The present invention also comprehends the employment ofcompositions comprising one or more of the compounds of the sub-genus,an adjuvant, and one or more biologically active materials, such asother insecticides, fungicides, miticides, bactericides, nematocides,and the like.

EXAMPLE 85

Compounds evaluated for the control of insects and arachnids, asreported in the following examples, were formulated in accordance withthe following procedure. Initially, 55 grams of a mixture of twononionic sulfonate emulsifiers were mixed with 1 liter of cyclohexanone.Of the resulting mixture, 0.9 milliliter was subsequently further mixedwith 90 milligrams of the subject compound and diluted with distilledwater to 90 milliliters, containing the subject compound at aconcentration of 1000 parts per million. For evaluation at lowerconcentrations, the mixture was further diluted with a dilutioncomposition consisting of 4 liters of distilled water and a total of 1.8milliliter of the same two nonionic sulfonate emulsifiers.

The insecticidal and arachnicidal activity of the compounds of thisinvention is illustrated by the following tests against representativeinsects and arachnids.

Test Methods Mexican Bean Beetle -

Epilachna varivestis (Coleoptera)

Cuttings of four six-day-old Bountiful snap bean plants containing twoleaves with approximately 5 square inches of leaf surface were placed inwater. The leaves were sprayed to wetting with about 5-10 ml. of aformulation containing a predetermined level of the test compound. Halfof the formulation was sprayed on the top surface and half on the bottomsurface of the leaf using a DeVilbiss atomizer at 10 psi held at adistance of about 18 inches from the leaf. After the leaves had dried,they were cut from the stem and placed separately in petri dishes. Tenthird instar, non-molting Mexican bean beetle larvae grown on Bountifulsnap beans were placed on each leaf. Controls consisted of two leavessprayed with 5 ml. of a 500 ppm. formulation ofS-(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl) O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithicate (referencestandard), two leaves sprayed with the formulation without the activeingredient and two leaves were held as untreated controls. After 48hours, a mortality count was made and the amount of feeding noted.Moribund larvae were counted as dead. The following toxicity ratingscale was used:

    ______________________________________                                        Percent Dead      Rating                                                      ______________________________________                                         0-10             0                                                           11-20             1                                                           21-30             2                                                           31-40             3                                                           41-50             4                                                           51-60             5                                                           61-70             6                                                           71-80             7                                                           81-90             8                                                            91-100           9                                                           ______________________________________                                    

Southern Armyworm -

Prodenia eridania (Lepidoptera)

Ten uniform Southern armyworm larvae about 1-1.5 cm. in length, grown onHenderson lima beans, were placed on excized bean leaves in petridishes. The bean leaves were obtained and sprayed with the insecticidein the same way as were the snap bean leaves in the Mexican bean beetletest. The reference standards in this instance were leaves sprayed with5 ml. of 100 ppm. DDT solution. Mortality counts were made 48 hoursafter spraying and again moribund larvae were counted as dead. Missinglarvae which had probably been eaten were considered alive. The samerating scale was used as in the Mexican bean beetle test.

Melon Aphid -

Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera)

Four blue hubbard squash seeds were planted per container in vermiculiteand the containers watered from the bottom. After six days, the twoweakest plants were cut off and one cotyledon and the primary leavesremoved from each of the two remaining plants. The remaining cotyledonwas infested with 100 melon aphids from a stock colony by pinning thecotyledon against an aphid-infested squash cotyledon from the colony andallowing the aphids to transfer. After transfer, the colony leaf wasremoved. Forty-eight hours later, the infested leaves were sprayed towetting with formulations containing graded amounts of the insecticideusing a DeVilbiss atomizer at 10 psi held at 12-15 inches from theplant. Controls consist of two infested, unsprayed squash plants and twoinfested plants sprayed to wetting with a formulation containing 100ppm. of S-(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl) O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate as areference standard. The mortality was estimated 24 hours after sprayingby observation using a 10-power dissecting microscope. The same ratingscale was used as before.

Two-Spotted Spider Mite -

Tetranychus urticae (Acarina)

Two-spotted spider mites were raised on green bean plants, thentransferred to squash plants. The squash plants were maintained for twodays so that the infestation was well established. The infected squashplants were then sprayed with a test formulation containing the subjectcompound as in the preceding test methods. Mortality was determined byestimation 48 hours after spraying. The same rating scale was used as inother test procedures.

Milkweed Bug -

Oncopelitis fasciatus (Hemiptera)

Ten adult milkweed bugs were chilled and placed in a test cage. Thecages containing the bugs were sprayed with 5 ml. of a test formulationcontaining a predetermined amount of the insecticide, using a DeVilbissatomizer at 10 psi held 33 inches from the top of the cage. After thecage had been allowed to dry, the bugs were fed and watered for 48hours. A formulation containing 500 ppm. of S-(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl)O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate was used as a reference standard and twounsprayed cages were kept as controls. Mortality counts were made 48hours after spraying. Moribund adults were considered dead. The samerating scale was employed as before.

House Fly -

Musca domestica (Diptera)

Rearing cages containing four-day-old adult house flies were chilled at35°-40° F. for about 1 hour. One hundred flies were transferred from therearing cage to each test cage using a small scoop. The caged flies werekept for 1-2 hours at 70°-80° F. The cages were sprayed in the samemanner as described for the milkweed bug with 5 ml. of the testformulation. Two unsprayed cages were held as controls and two cageswere sprayed with a 50 ppm. DDT formulation as a reference standard.Mortality counts were made 24 hours after spraying. All flies that didnot fly or did not walk up from the bottom of the cage were consideredmoribund. The same rating scale was employed as heretofore.

Boll Weevil -

Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera)

The procedure was identical to that employed for the Mexican bean beetleand the Southern armyworm, except that 10 adult boll weevils were placedon cotton leaves that had been dipped into formulations of the testcompounds. The same rating scale was used.

Test Results EXAMPLES 86-93 EVALUATION OF COMPOUNDS AGAINST MEXICAN BEANBEETLE

Various compounds of the sub-genus of the present invention wereevaluated in accordance with the test method described above againstMexican Bean Beetle. The compounds so evaluated, the rates employed, andthe results of the evaluation are as set forth in the following table.Where more than one evaluation was carried out at a given rate, theresult reported for that rate is an average of the several results.

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                                                       Toxicity                                                                      Rating                                                               Rate in  Against                                                              Parts Per                                                                              Mexican                                        Compound              Million  Bean Beetle                                    ______________________________________                                        N.sup.1, N.sup.2 -Bis(trifluoroacetyl)-3'-                                                          1000         9.0                                        nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine.     500          9.0                                                              250          9.0                                                              100          9.0                                                              50           6.5                                        N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-                                                               1000         9.0                                        trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine                                                                  500          9.0                                                              250          9.0                                                              100          9.0                                                              50           9.0                                        N.sup.1 -Acetyl-N.sup.2 -trifluoroacetyl-3'-                                                        1000         9.0                                        nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine      500          9.0                                                              250          7.5                                                              100          9.0                                                              50           8.0                                        N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-N.sup.2 -(2,2-dichloro-                                                    1000         8.5                                        propionyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-                                             nitro-o-phenylenediamine                                                                            500          9.0                                                              250          9.0                                                              100          9.0                                                              50           8.5                                        N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-N.sup.2 -pentafluoro-                                                      1000         9.0                                        propionyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-                                              nitro-o-phenylenediamine                                                                            500          9.0                                                              250          9.0                                                              100          9.0                                                              50           8.5                                        N.sup.1 -Trichloroacetyl-N.sup.2 -trifluoro-                                                        1000         9.0                                        acetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-                                           o-phenylenediamine                                                            N.sup.1 -Difluorochloroacetyl-3'-nitro-                                                             1000         9.0                                        5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylene-                                               diamine               500          9.0                                                              250          9.0                                                              100          8.0                                                              50           9.0                                        N.sup.1 -Benzoyl-N.sup.2 -trifluoroacetyl-3'-                                                       1000         7.0                                        nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine      500          9.0                                                              250          7.5                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 94-95 EVALUATION OF COMPOUNDS AGAINST SOUTHERN ARMYWORM

Various compounds of the sub-genus of the present invention wereevaluated in accordance with the test method described above againstSouthern armyworm. The compounds so evaluated, the rates employed, andthe results of the evaluation are as set forth in the following table.Where more than one evaluation was carried out at a given rate, theresult reported for that rate is an average of the several results.

                  TABLE V                                                         ______________________________________                                                                       Toxicity                                                                      Rating                                                               Rate in  Against                                                              Parts Per                                                                              Southern                                       Compound              Million  Armyworm                                       ______________________________________                                        N.sup.1 -Trichloroacetyl-N.sup.2 -trifluoro-                                                        1000     9.0                                            acetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoro-                                                 methyl-o-phenylenediamine                                                     N.sup.1 -Difluorochloroacetyl-3'-                                                                   1000     8.5                                            nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine                                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 96-99 EVALUATION OF COMPOUNDS AGAINST MELON APHID

Various compounds of the sub-genus of the present invention wereevaluated in accordance with the test method described above againstMelon Aphid. The compounds so evaluated, the rates employed, and theresults of the evaluation are as set forth in the following table. Wheremore than one evaluation was carried out at a given rate, the resultreported for that rate is an average of the several results.

                  TABLE VI                                                        ______________________________________                                                                      Toxicity                                                             Rate in  Rating                                                               Parts per                                                                              Against                                         Compound             Million  Melon Aphid                                     ______________________________________                                        N.sup.1,N.sup.2 -Bis(trifluoroacetyl)-3'-                                                          1000         9.0                                         nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine     500          8.0                                                              250          7.5                                                              100          7.0                                         N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-                                                                 1000         9.0                                         5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                         phenylenediamine     500          9.0                                                              250          9.0                                                              100          8.0                                                              50           7.0                                         N.sup.1 -Difluorochloroacetyl-3'-                                                                  1000         9.0                                         nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine     500          9.0                                                              250          8.5                                                              100          8.0                                         N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-trifluoro-                                                             1000         9.0                                         methyl-5'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine                                                                 500          9.0                                                              250          9.0                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 100-105 EVALUATION OF COMPOUNDS AGAINST TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE

Various compounds of the sub-genus of the present invention wereevaluated in accordance with the test method described above againstTwo-spotted Spider Mite. The compounds so evaluated, the rates employed,and the results of the evaluation are as set forth in the followingtable.

                                      TABLE VII                                   __________________________________________________________________________                                 Toxicity                                                             Rate in Parts                                                                          Rating Against                                   Compound            Per Million                                                                            Two-Spotted Spider Mite                          __________________________________________________________________________    N.sup.1,N.sup.2 -Bis(trifluoroacetyl)-3'-                                                         1000     9.0                                              nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine    500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                              N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-                                                             1000     9.0                                              trifluoromethyl-o-phenylene-                                                  diamine             500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      8.5                                              N.sup.1 -Trichloroacetyl-N.sup.2 -trifluoro-                                                      1000     9.0                                              acetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-                                           o-phenylenediamine                                                            N.sup.1 -Pentafluoropropionyl-3'-                                                                 1000     9.0                                              nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine    500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      8.5                                              N.sup.1 -Difluorochloroacetyl-3'-                                                                 1000     9.0                                              nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine    500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      8.0                                                                   50      9.0                                              N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-trifluoro-                                        methyl-5'-nitro-o-phenylene-                                                                      1000     9.0                                              diamine             500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      8.0                                              __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 106-109 EVALUATION OF COMPOUNDS AGAINST MILKWEED BUG

Various compounds of the sub-genus of the present invention wereevaluated in accordance with the test method described above againstMilkweed Bug. The compounds so evaluated, the rates employed and theresults of the evaluation are as set forth in the following table:

                                      TABLE VIII                                  __________________________________________________________________________                               Toxicity                                                             Rate in Parts                                                                          Rating Against                                     Compound          Per Million                                                                            Milkweed Bug                                       __________________________________________________________________________    N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-                                                              1000     9.0                                                5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                         phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      8.0                                                N.sup.1 -Difluorochloroacetyl-3'-                                                               1000     9.0                                                nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-trifluoro-                                                          1000     9.0                                                methyl-5'-nitro-o-phenylene-                                                  diamine           500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                N.sup.1 -Heptafluorobutyryl-3'-                                                                 1000     9.0                                                nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 110-114 EVALUATION OF COMPOUNDS AGAINST HOUSE FLY

Various compounds of the sub-genus of the present invention wereevaluated in accordance with the test method described above againstHouse Fly. The compounds so evaluated, the rates employed, and theresults of the evaluations are as set forth in the following table.Where more than one evaluation was carried out, the result reported forthat rate is an average of the several results.

                                      TABLE IX                                    __________________________________________________________________________                               Toxicity                                                             Rate in Parts                                                                          Rating Against                                     Compound          Per Million                                                                            House Fly                                          __________________________________________________________________________    N.sup.1,N.sup.2 -Bis(trifluoroacetyl)-                                                          1000     9.0                                                3'-nitro-5'-(trifluoromethyl)-                                                o-phenylenediamine                                                                              500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-                                                              1000     9.0                                                5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenyl-                                                  enediamine        500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      8.5                                                N.sup.1 -Acetyl-N.sup.2 -trifluoroacetyl-3'-                                                    1000     8.5                                                nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-N.sup.2 -acetyl-3'-                                                    1000     9.0                                                nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      8.0                                                N.sup.1 -Difluorochloroacetyl-3'-                                                               500      9.0                                                nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 115-119 EVALUATION OF COMPOUNDS AGAINST BOLL WEEVIL

Various compounds of the sub-genus of the present invention wereevaluated in accordance with the test method described above againstBoll Weevil. The compounds so evaluated, the rates employed, and theresults obtained are as set forth in the following table. Where morethan one evaluation was carried out, the result reported for that rateis an average of the several results.

                                      TABLE X                                     __________________________________________________________________________                               Toxicity                                                             Rate in Parts                                                                          Rating Against                                     Compound          Per Million                                                                            Boll Weevil                                        __________________________________________________________________________    N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-N.sup.2 -                                                              1000     9.0                                                (2,2-dichloropropionyl)-4'-                                                   trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-                                                                     500      8.5                                                phenylenediamine                                                                                250      9.0                                                                  100      8.0                                                                   50      8.0                                                                   25      8.5                                                N.sup.1 -Heptafluorobutyryl-3'-nitro-                                                           1000     9.0                                                5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                         phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                                   25      9.0                                                N.sup.1 -Trifluoroacetyl-N.sup.2 -penta-                                                        1000     9.0                                                fluoropropionyl-4'-trifluoro-                                                 methyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylene-                                                                    500      9.0                                                diamine                                                                                         250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                                   25      9.0                                                                   10      9.0                                                N.sup.1 -Pentafluoropropionyl-3'-                                                               1000     9.0                                                nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                   phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                                   25      8.5                                                                   10      8.5                                                N.sup.1 -Perfluoroctanoyl-3'-nitro-                                                             1000     9.0                                                5'-trifluoromethyl-o-                                                         phenylenediamine  500      9.0                                                                  250      9.0                                                                  100      9.0                                                                   50      9.0                                                                   25      9.0                                                __________________________________________________________________________

Results essentially the same as those reported in Examples 86-119 areobtained when evaluating in the same procedures the following compounds:

N¹,N²-Bis(2,2-difluorobutyryl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹,N²-Bis(2,2-difluoro-4-bromobutyryl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -(2,2-Difluoro-3-bromopropionyl)-N²-(2-chloro-4-tert-butylbenzoyl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N²-(phenoxycarbonyl)-3'-nitro-5'-difluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Naphthoyl-N²-trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹,N² -Bis(difluoroacetyl)-3'-nitro-5'-difluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(p-n-butoxybenzoyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N²-(2,2-dichloropropionyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-(2,2-dichloropropionyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Heptafluorobutyryl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-pentafluoropropionyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-dichlorofluoroacetyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-methoxycarbonyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Pentafluoropropionyl-N²-trichloroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Difluorochloroacetyl-N²-propionyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

N¹-Pentadecafluorooctanoyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine

N¹ -Trifluoroacetyl-N²-trichloroacetyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine

In addition to herbicidal and insecticidal activity, compounds of thepresent invention exhibit anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, andnematocidal activity.

The anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory activity is most pronounced amongcompounds of Formula II. The nematocidal activity is exhibited bycompounds representative of the entire scope of the present invention.

In respect to the anthelmintic activity, the compounds of Formula II canbe administered to warm-blooded animals for the control of internalparasites, particularly parasites of the intestinal tract such asHaemonchus contortus, Syphacia obvelata, Nematospiroides dubius, and thelike. Administration is conveniently by the oral route, and may take theform of inclusion in a diet, or of separate administration of thesubject compound alone or formulated as a tablet, bolus, etc. foradministration. Typically, good results are obtained at dosages of from5 to 500 mg./kg. for single doses, and at dosages of from 0.001 to 0.05percent in the diet. In representative procedures,N'-trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine wasincorporat in a modified mouse diet in a concentration of 0.01 percent.The modified diet was fed to a group of four mice; an unmodified dietwas fed to another group of four mice to serve as a control. The mice ofboth groups were infected with Nematospiroides dubius about seven hoursafter initiation of feeding. Feeding was continued for eight days; onthe ninth day, all mice were necropsied and the upper intestinesexamined to ascertain the presence, and if present numbers, ofNematospiroides dubius. In the group of mice on the modified diet, nolarvae were seen; in the control group, an average of 28 larvae permouse were seen. Like results are obtained with other of the compoundsof Formula II.

The compounds of Formula II are also useful as anti-inflammatory agentsin warm-blooded animals. Oral administration is most convenient and istherefore preferred. However, the compounds can be formulated tofacilitate such administration. Thus, the compounds can be formulated inliquid or solid formulations, such as tablets, pills, capsules,granules, powders, oral solutions or suspensions, and the like. Theexact concentration of the active agent in such formulation is notcritical, it being necessary only that an appropriate dosage of theactive agent be supplied to the animal being treated. In general, ananti-inflammatory effect is achieved at rates of from 1 to 100milligrams, or more, per kilogram of animal body weight, depending uponthe particular compound chosen, mode of application and the like. Suchdosage can be administered at one time, or in several administrationsover a given period of time, such as daily.

The compounds of the present invention can be used for the control ofdiseases caused by fungal and nematode organisms such as root-knownematode, stem nematode, fusarium root-rot, and Rhizoctonia. In general,control is achieved at rates of from 1 to 40 pounds per acre. Instandardized testing procedures, the following compounds were found togive complete or essentially complete control of root-knot nematode atthe designated application rate:

N¹ -trifluoroacetyl-3',4',5',6'-tetrachloro-o-phenylenediamine (5 poundsper acre)

N¹ -trifluoroacetyl-N²-naphthoyl-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (20 pounds peracre)

N¹ -trifluoroacetyl-N²-(3,4-dichlorobenzoyl)-4'-trifluoromethyl-6'-nitro-o-phenylenediamine(20 pounds per acre).

As discussed hereinabove, the novel compounds of the present inventioncan be employed as herbicides in a wide variety of embodiments. In allsuch embodiments, the described compounds can be formulated and employedwith known herbicides of other classes. The ratio of the individualcomponents of such compositions to one another is not critical; allratios provide compositions that have useful plant growth alteringproperties. However, generally preferred compositions are those whereina substantial portion of each component is present--such as compositionswherein the ratio of the components ranges from 1:10 to 10:1, andespecially from 1:5 to 5:1.

Known herbicides with which the compounds of the present invention arepreferably combined include:

N,n-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline,

N,n-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-methylaniline,

N-ethyl-N-butyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline,

N,n-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline,

N,n-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-sulfamoylaniline,

N,n-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-isopropylaniline,

N,n-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-tert-butylaniline, and

N,n-bis(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-4-methylaniline. These combinationsare exemplified by the following example.

EXAMPLE 120

The combination of N¹-(pentafluoropropionyl)-3'-nitro-5'-(trifluoromethyl)-o-phenylenediamineand N,N-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline was evaluatedfor preemergent application, employing various species of plants.

A soil was prepared consisting of one part masonry sand and one partshredded top soil blended together in a cement mixer. One gallon of thissoil was then placed in a 21.5 × 31.5 cm. galvanized flat and was patteddown with a bench brush until level. Rows were marked, and seedsplanted, one species to a row, except that in the case of the mixture,the mixture was likewise seeded in one row. The species employed werecotton (two separate rows), morning glory (Ipomea purpurea), foxtailmillet, jimsonweed, velvetleaf, and a mixture of sickle pod, pigweed,cypressvine morning glory (Ipomea quamoclit), and Crotolaria.

A treated cover soil was then prepared. The compounds were separatelyformulated by suspending each in a 1:1 solution of acetone and ethanolcontaining a small amount of a blend of two sulfonate-nonionicsurfactants. Each suspension was then further diluted serially with anaqueous solution of the same blend of surfactants--to prepare aplurality of aqueous treating solutions containing the respectivecompounds in various concentrations, in addition to the blend ofsurfactants uniformly in a total concentration of 0.55 percent, and theacetone and ethanol uniformly each in a concentration of 4.15 percent.Treating solution containing each of the compounds were sprayed onto aportion of soil of the same type as described above, while rotating in acement mixer. The rotation was continued for 5-7 minutes. Each portionof soil so treated was then spread over a flat to a depth ofthree-eighths inch.

Another flat was prepared and seeded in like manner, except that thecover soil was left untreated to serve as a control. All flats were heldfor thirteen days under normal greenhouse conditions, at which timeinjury ratings and observations as to type of injury were made. Theinjury rating scale used was as follows:

0--no injury

1-3--slight injury

4-6--moderate injury

7-9--severe injury

10--death

B--burned

N--no germination

R--reduced germination

S--stunting

The following table reports the results of the evaluation of the treatedflats. In the control flats, there were healthy stands of each of thetest species.

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Compounds and Rates                                                                           Morning                                                                            Foxtail                                                  in Pounds/Acre                                                                            Cotton                                                                            Glory                                                                              Millet                                                                             Jimsonweed                                                                          Cotton                                                                            Mixture                                                                            Velvetleaf                           __________________________________________________________________________    A, 1/4 lb.; B, 1/8 lb.                                                                    0   2B   10N  0     0   8RS  0                                    A, 1/2 lb.; B, 1/8 lb.                                                                    0   2B   9RS  0     0   7RS  0                                    A, 1 lb.; B, 1/8 lb.                                                                      2S  9BRS 10N  8BS   0   4RS  0                                    A, 2 lbs.; B, 1/8 lb.                                                                     3RS 10N  10N  9.5BRS                                                                              4BS 8RS  2S                                   A, 1/4 lb.; B 1/4 lb.                                                                     0   2BS  10N  2S    2BS 9.5RS                                                                              3S                                   A, 1/2 lb.; B, 1/4 lb.                                                                    0   6BS  10N  4BS   2S  8BRS 0                                    A, 1 -b.; B, 1/4 lb.                                                                      0   5BS  10N  9BRS  0   10N  0                                    A, 2 lbs.; B, 1/4 lb.                                                                     0   10N  10N  8BS   3S  9RS  4S                                   __________________________________________________________________________     A = N.sup.1                                                                   -(pentafluoropropionyl)-3'-nitro-5'-(trifluoromethyl)-o-phenylenediamine      B = N,N-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline               

Like results are achieved when combining N¹-(pentafluoropropionyl)-3'-nitro-5'-(trifluoromethyl)-o-phenylenediamineor other of the novel compounds of the present invention with other ofthe dinitroaniline compounds identified hereinabove. In general, goodresults are obtained when the combinations are employed to supply from0.5 to 8.0 pounds of the N-(2,2-difluoroalkanoyl)-o-phenylenediamine peracre, and from 0.25 to 2.50 pounds of the dinitroaniline per acre.

The starting materials to be employed in accordance with the presentinvention are prepared in known procedures, and some of them arecommercially available. Those starting materials which are of theformula ##STR12## are prepared by a plurality of synthetic steps as arenecessary to introduce the required moieties. Most conveniently, one orboth of the NH₂ groups are introduced by conversion of a halo group.Also, the amino group or groups can be introduced by nitration andsubsequent reduction. These various synthetic steps are generally andmost conveniently carried out with starting materials already bearingthe requisite R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ moieties. However, it is sometimespreferred that these substituents, where, e.g., nitro or halo, beintroduced simultaneously with the synthetic steps leading to theintroduction of the amino groups.

Thus, for example, where the diamine is tetrasubstituted, thecorresponding tetrasubstituted benzene is nitrated at each of theremaining ortho positions and the nitro groups then reduced. A3-nitro-5-substituted diamine where the substituent is cyano orloweralkylsulfonyl is readily prepared by nitrating a5-substituted-2-hydroxynitrobenzene to introduce a 3-nitro group,followed by conversion of the hydroxy group to a chloro, amination, andselective reduction.

Those of the compounds of the present invention wherein R¹ is a moietyother than hydrogen or the same acyl moiety as R are generally preparedfrom diamine starting materials already bearing the requisite R¹ moiety.These starting materials are themselves prepared from the correspondingdiamine starting materials described above, by reaction with anappropriate acyl halide or, in the instance of R¹ or R² representing##STR13## with an appropriate loweralkyl or phenyl haloformate.Alternately, however, these starting materials can be prepared fromo-nitroanilines: ##STR14## by acylation and subsequent reduction, bothin procedures well known in the prior art.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, N¹-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionyl)-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediaminewas evaluated in the procedures of Examples 28-31 and also in theprocedures of Examples 32-35. The results were as reported below

                  TABLE XII                                                       ______________________________________                                        Injury Rating on Preemergent Treatment                                                                Soy- Crab- Pig- Fox- Velvet-                          Lbs./Acre                                                                              Corn   Cotton  bean grass weed tail leaf                             ______________________________________                                        8        1      --      --   3     4    3    4                                4        0      1       1    2     4    3    4                                2        0      0       0    3     4    3    4                                1        0      1       0    2     3    2    3                                TABLE XIII                                                                    ______________________________________                                        Injury Rating on Postemergent Treatment                                                        Crab-    Pig-  Fox-  Velvet-                                 Lbs./Acre                                                                              Corn    grass    weed  tail  leaf                                    ______________________________________                                        8        2       4        4     4     4                                       4        3       4        4     4     4                                       2        3       4        4     4     3                                       1        1       4        4     4     4                                       ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. The method for the control of insect and arachnid pestswhich comprises contacting an insect or arachnid with an inactivatingamount of an active agent, said active agent being a compound of theformula ##STR15## wherein R° represents a 2,2-difluoroalkanoyl radicalof the formula ##STR16## wherein Y represents hydrogen, chlorine,fluorine, difluoromethyl, perfluoroalkyl of C₁ -C₆, or radical of theformula ##STR17## wherein each Z independently represents hydrogen orhalogen and n represents 0 or 1;R¹ represents hydrogen, radical of theformula ##STR18## wherein Y¹ represents loweralkyl of C₁ -C₄ or phenyl,benzoyl, furoyl, naphthoyl, or substituted benzoyl of the formula##STR19## wherein each Z' independently represents halo or nitro, Z"represents loweralkyl of C₁ -C₄ or loweralkoxy of C₁ -C₄, p represents0, 1, or 2, q represents 0 or 1, and the sum of p and q is 1-3; R⁴represents nitro; and R⁵ represents trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, ordifluorochloromethyl, subject to the limitations (1) that R⁴ and R⁵ aremeta to one another, and (2) that where R¹ represents hydrogen, the ringposition ortho to the --NH-R¹ bears one of the designated R⁴ or R⁵moieties.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the active agent is N¹-trifluoroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the active agent is N¹-difluorochloroacetyl-3'-nitro-5'-trifluoromethyl-o-phenylenediamine.